A mechanism that achieves size reduction of an electronic apparatus by reducing the axial size of a plurality of tiers of rotation operation members that can be rotationally operated independently of each other. An electronic apparatus includes a holder fixed to an exterior member thereof, a mode dial rotatably supported by the holder, and an exposure correction dial disposed in a manner axially opposed to the mode dial and rotatably supported by the holder. A first click mechanism generates a click force when the mode dial is rotated, and a second click mechanism generates a click force when the exposure correction dial is rotated. The first click mechanism and the second click mechanism are arranged in a space in which the mode dial and the exposure correction dial are axially opposed to each other.
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1. An electronic apparatus comprising: an image pickup apparatus including: a holder that is fixed to an exterior member; a first rotation operation member that is supported by said holder in a rotatable manner; a second rotation operation member that is disposed in a manner opposed to said first rotation operation member in an axial direction and is supported by said holder in a rotatable manner; a first click mechanism configured to generate a click force in a case where said first rotation operation member is rotationally operated; and a second click mechanism configured to generate a click force in a case where said second rotation operation member is rotationally operated, wherein said first click mechanism and said second click mechanism are arranged in a space in which said first rotation operation member and said second rotation operation member are opposed to each other in the axial direction, wherein said first click mechanism comprises: a first click member; first engagement portions provided in plurality in said first rotation operation member in a direction of rotation of said first rotation operation member, for engagement with said first click member; and a first urging portion that includes a portion for accommodating said first click member, and urges said first click member toward said first engagement portions, wherein said second click mechanism comprises: a second click member; second engagement portions provided in plurality in said second rotation operation member in a direction of rotation of said second rotation operation member, for engagement with the second click member; and a second urging portion that includes a portion for accommodating said second click member, and urges said second click member toward said second engagement portions, and wherein said first urging portion and said second urging portion are formed integrally with a plate member fixed to said holder, wherein said first urging portion formed on said olate member is bent upward and said second urging portion formed on said olate member is bent downward.
An electronic device, like a camera, has a holder fixed to its body. It features two independently rotating dials: a first dial (like a mode dial) and a second dial (like an exposure correction dial) positioned one above the other along a central axis. Each dial has its own click mechanism to provide tactile feedback when rotated. The click mechanisms are located in the space between the two dials, making the device more compact. Each click mechanism includes a click member, engagement portions on the dial, and a spring that pushes the click member into the engagement portions. The springs for both dials are part of a single plate attached to the holder, with one spring bent upward for the top dial and the other bent downward for the bottom dial.
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first urging portion formed on said plate member is bent toward said first rotation operation member, and wherein said second urging portion formed on said plate member is bent toward said second rotation operation member.
In the electronic device described previously, the springs that create the click feel are bent toward their respective dials. So, the spring for the first rotation operation member is bent in the direction of the first rotation operation member, and the spring for the second rotation operation member is bent in the direction of the second rotation operation member. This provides direct pressure and a more distinct click sensation.
3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said first engagement portions are formed in a click plate fixed to said first rotation operation member.
In the electronic device described previously, the engagement portions (teeth or notches) that create the click feel for the first rotation operation member (the mode dial) are formed on a separate click plate. This click plate is then attached to the first rotation operation member, allowing for easy manufacturing and replacement of the click mechanism components.
4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said second engagement portions are formed in said second rotation operation member.
In the electronic device described previously, the engagement portions (teeth or notches) that create the click feel for the second rotation operation member (the exposure compensation dial) are formed directly on the second rotation operation member itself. This simplifies the design and reduces the number of parts required.
5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a first contact piece that is rotated in unison with said first rotation operation member; a second contact piece that is rotated in unison with said second rotation operation member, and a pattern board having a first pattern portion and a second pattern portion formed on a same surface thereof, wherein said pattern board is arranged in a manner bent into a state sandwiching opposite sides of said holder in the axial direction between the first pattern portion and the second pattern portion in such a manner that the first pattern portion is brought into contact with said first contact piece, and the second pattern portion is brought into contact with said second contact piece.
The previously described electronic device includes electrical contacts that rotate with each dial. A circuit board ("pattern board") is bent around the holder, with one part of the board contacting the first dial's contact and another part contacting the second dial's contact. This allows the device to detect the rotational position of each dial. The pattern board is bent in such a way that it sandwiches opposite sides of the holder, and the first and second pattern portions are formed on the same surface of the board.
6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said holder is arranged within an inner periphery of said second rotation operation member.
In the previously described electronic device, the holder that supports the two rotating dials is located within the inner circumference of the second rotation operation member (e.g. exposure compensation dial). The second rotation operation member could potentially encircle the holder. This contributes to a compact, layered design.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a rotational shaft of said first rotation operation member and a rotational shaft of said second rotation operation member are co-axially arranged.
In the previously described electronic device, the center of rotation (rotational axis) of the first rotation operation member (e.g. mode dial) and the center of rotation of the second rotation operation member (e.g. exposure compensation dial) are aligned. This means they rotate around the same central point, which simplifies the mechanical design and contributes to the compact, layered arrangement.
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August 26, 2015
May 30, 2017
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